POV Achous Phantomwing

I can somewhat accept my current predicament, I mean it could be worse. But now I have other issues to worry about. “Uhm, Mr Ancient, if I’m trapped on this island for an uncertain amount of time, where should I stay?” I ask. They can’t be expecting me to survive alone in this wilderness, right?

“Don’t worry boy, the island provides and protect, just don’t anger the other island spirits. They are pure and kind children, but mischievous at times, it’s better to avoid unnecessary troubles.” The Ancient says. Well, that’s not helpful at all, but I’ll keep his advice in mind.

“Little Aia, you should be getting back to your river; you know it’s bad for a spirit to stay away from their source.” The Ancient continues, his kind voice rumbling in the sky. I look over at Aia and I notice the subtle shaking of her hands, it looks like she’s at a sort of limit.

“I know, I just didn’t want to leave Achous alone. He may be a silly being, but I can recognize the lonely glint in his eyes, maybe my company can help him, even if it’s just by a little,” Aia replies, her innocent smile hiding no ulterior motives.

This pure motive leaves me flabbergast, do I deserve this level of kindness? I’ve never been a saint nor a noble person. The vices of society have left its stains on me, but it’s different here; full of purity and kindness. I guess I wasn’t wrong when I thought this place to be paradise; in some respects, I was strangely accurate.

“Let’s go back Aia, you’ve done more than enough to help me. The last thing I want is to hurt you.” I say, a slight feeling of guilt blossoming in my heart. “Child, hurry back, it’s time for rest.” The Ancient urges her further, a yawn escaping between his words. I wonder who the one is that needs rest?

“Okay,” Aia says, agreeing without protest. Just how tired is she? My question is quickly answered on our way back. Just over ten minutes into the journey, Aia falls over. I rush to her, but she only seems to have fainted. I gently pick her up and continue the journey in silence, only my thoughts keep me company. This place isn’t that bad. I won’t mind spending some time here, this island is abundant with fruit and seemingly no predators, so I shouldn’t have to worry about food or danger… Truly a paradise.

I arrive back at the fortress within twenty minutes, and I gently place Aia’s body in the river. In the water, her body dissolves, like a clump dust being thrown into a bucket of water. What the hell?! After a minute, Aia emerges from the water like nothing’s changed. “Thank you for returning that part of me, it would have been extremely inconvenient to lose a part of myself.” She says, a bright smile on her face.

“What do you mean part?” I ask in confusion. “That’s a stupid question silly, I am the river and the river is me. I form my body from the river, but the other spirits aren’t strong enough to do it yet.” She answers. Why does it feel like I’m the one at fault here for not knowing that?

“Unfortunately, it drains a lot of energy, so I’m unable to stay awake, but we can play again tomorrow,” Aia says, turning around and dissolving back into the river. I should go to sleep too. It doesn’t look like it will rain, so I’ll just sleep here on the ground; I’ve slept in worse places before.

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I wake up early the next morning and eat my rations. My eyes scan the surroundings, the ground is soft and fertile and there are no trees in the area around the fortress, making it perfect for cultivating a garden. Deep down, I’ve always had the dream to make my own garden, but I was unable to do it on the flying island. Now, there’s no reason I can’t and it’s also a good way to pass the time.

I reach into my sack and take out a couple of flower seeds that I carried around for good luck. These seeds, combined with the variety of flowers on the island, should make a diverse garden full of colour and life. I look towards a small area near the bridge. This should be a good place to begin my garden project; I’m slightly giddy just thinking about it.

I focus solely on my work, trying to divert my thoughts away from my home and the team members that I’ve lost; I can’t let my past define my happiness. After working for the better part of the day, Aia finally wakes from slumber. I talk with her until I’m unable to stay awake; it’s kind of nice not being alone anymore, even if my only source of company is a weird spirit.

My routine continues like this for a whole month. Slowly, the small area starts to take shape; the ground is properly flattened, and new flower buds are piercing through the ground. I stare at them in wonder, a wide smile covering my face. Finally, something I can take pride in! Well, this is only the beginning, I still have more ideas for expansion.

Slowly, the cultivated area of flowers expands as I continue to work daily. In the blink of an eye, a year passes. It sounds long, but without a proper night cycle, it’s easy to lose time. The constant darkness doesn’t bother me as much as it should, but I can’t find the reason why it doesn’t.

This past year, I’ve made peace with my situation. Truthfully, I wouldn’t mind spending my last days here, besides, even if I’m suddenly free from this place, it would be almost impossible to find my home.

My eyes wander through the field of multi-coloured flowers filling every edge of the clearing in front of the fortress. Through the field, small stone paths run, separating the different flower beds. This is the result of a year of work, but there’s still room for expansion. Thankfully, there’s always something to do, else I wouldn’t know how to pass my time.

I continue my routine, work in the field, converse with Aia and complete my daily chores. This continues day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year… In this manner, a full twenty years pass.

I look at my reflection, in the water. I’ve barely grown older these past years and I’ve only grown stronger; the only explanation I have for this is that the island is strengthening me for some reason. I don’t know if this is fate or destiny, but I’m not complaining. I should’ve already had a couple of grey feathers, but I’ve barely changed and any changes that I’ve experienced seems to only be improvements.

Calmly, I stroll along with the stone paths, past the flower beds that I’ve cultivated these past years. They cover every inch of the area surrounding the fortress. This, combined with the natural beauty of the fortress creates an imposing aura of majesty. This sight alone convinces me that these past years have not been a waste; if I were to die today, I would die content.

Eventually, I reach the bridge and I calmly walk next to the railings. Suddenly, the air grows turbulent. What’s going on?! I see Aia's head bobbing on the river’s surface, her usual smile strangely gone. “Aia, what’s going on?!” I shout in panic. “Can’t you feel it in the surroundings; the gathering power? He’s finally awake and the island is giving him a hero’s welcome” She replies, her eyes holding a strange reverence in them.

Before I can comprehend what she just said, I hear metal screeching next to me. I turn in a fright and shout out in shock, “What!?”. From the mysterious fortress, that’s stayed dormant for god knows how long, the eight-meter tall front gate, slowly screeches open.